South Plantation's Franklin signs with FSU as expected

Quarterback promised a chance under center

February 6, 2013|By Steve Gorten, Sun Sentinel

PLANTATION – Wearing a Florida State ballcap, as well as an FSU-patterned tie and hankerchief with his gray suit, South Plantation quarterback John Franklin signed with the Seminoles as expected Wednesday.

Any thought he might have made a last-minute switch was squashed when Franklin walked into his school's signing ceremony sporting a spear design shaved into his hair on the right side of his head.

"It felt like a family atmosphere to me," Franklin said of choosing FSU. "Just how close the team is. They look after each other. The players do a lot of the discipline themselves. And of course, it's a winning program, and they have a bright future. And it's close to hom. My family can be a part of it and watch me play."

Franklin, who verbally committed to the Seminoles on Nov. 1, a day after receiving a scholarship offer from them, said he wavered some in the final weeks leading up to National Signing Day.

"After Tennessee offered and I went on my official visit, it had me thinking real heavy," he said. "At one point, I was really thinking I was going to decommit and open it back up, but after I took my official to Florida State, I felt good, and reassured about the reason I committed."

There's been widespread speculation that Franklin will be moved to receiver at FSU – a position he played as a freshman at South Plantation – but Franklin is intent on lining up under center.

"Coach [Jimbo] Fisher told me he the only position he recruited me to play was quarterback," Franklin said. "He said when I get up there, I'm going to play QB and he's not going to switch me unless I want to get switched. Ultimately, that's all I ever asked for – was a shot."

The Seminoles have Jacob Coker, Sean Maguire and Jameis Winston in place to replace E.J. Manuel at quarterback, but Franklin said he's unfazed.

"Competition brings out the best in people so I won't shy away from competition," Franklin said. "That's going to be anywhere you go, so that's not a big deal."

South Plantation coach Doug Gatewood said Franklin has the skills to be a solid quarterback or receiver at the next level, noting, "he has a huge upside."

"It will me a matter of whether the coach wants to be patient and put the time in with him as a quarterback or just make an easy switch to an athlete who's tall, fast and plays receiver," Gatewood said. "And he's OK with that. But he wants the opportunity. That's all."

Franklin said Wednesday marked the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

"Since I was 4 years old, playing college football was my dream," he said. "Finally, this day came. I got one dream down that I'm making a reality. Hopefully I have more to come."